Joe Strong on the Trapeze Part 6

"That's where I practised," said Joe.

"Well, it's as good a place as any, I reckon. Anyhow, I had to get rid of Sim, and now Tonzo comes and asks me to put him back. He says Sim is behaving himself, and will keep straight. He's somewhere on the grounds now, Tonzo told me. But I don't want anything to do with him.

I'll stand a whole lot from a man, but when I reach the limit I'm through for good. That's what I am with Sim Dobley, otherwise known as Rafello Lascalla. You're to take his place, Joe."

"I am!"

There was no mistaking the surprise in the youth's voice.

"Why, what's the matter? Don't you want to?" asked Jim, in some astonishment.

"Yes, of course. I'll do anything in the show along the line of trapeze work you want me to. But--well, maybe I'd better tell you all about it."

Then Joe related his encounter with the discharged circus employee.

"Hum," mused Jim, when Joe finished. "So that's how the wind sets, is it? He's hanging around here now trying to find out who is going to take his place."

"And when he finds that I have," suggested Joe hesitatingly, "he may cause trouble."

Jim Tracy started.

"I didn't think of that!" he said slowly. "You say he threatened you?"

"Well, not exactly me, for he didn't know who I was," replied Joe.

"But he said he'd make it decidedly hot for you, and for the man who took his place."

Jim Tracy snapped his fingers.

"That's how much I care for Sim Dobley," he said. "I'm not afraid of him. He talks big, but he acts small. I'm not in the least worried, and if you are----"

"Not for a minute!" exclaimed Joe quickly. "I guess I can look after myself!"

"Good!" exclaimed Jim. "That's the way I like to hear you talk. And don't you let Sim Dobley, or either of the Lascalla Brothers, bluff you. I'm running this show, not them! If they make any trouble you come to me."

"I guess I can fight my own battles," observed Joe calmly.

"Good!" said the ring-master again. "I guess you'll do. This is your dressing room," he went on. "Just leave your grip here, and it will be safe. You won't have to do anything to-night but look on. I'll get you a pair of tights by to-morrow and you can go on. Practise up in the morning, and work up a new act with Sid and Tonzo if you like.

I'll introduce you to them at supper."

"Do you think they'll perform with me?" Joe wanted to know.

"They'll have to!" exclaimed the ring-master with energy. "This is my circus, not theirs. They'll do as I say, and if there is any funny business---- Well, there just won't be," he added significantly.

"Do Tonzo and Sid want Sim to come back and act with them?" asked Joe, as he deposited his valise in a corner of a dressing room that was made by canvas curtains part.i.tioning off a part of a large tent.

"That's what they say. Tonzo told me that Sim would behave himself.

But I'm through with Sim, and he might as well understand that first as last. You're going to take his place. Now I'll have to leave you.

You'll put up at the hotel with some of the performers. Here's your slip that you can show to the clerk. I'll see you in the morning, if not before, and make arrangements for your act. To-night you just look on. Now I've got to go."

Joe looked about the dressing room. It was evidently shared with others, for there were suits of men's tights scattered around, as well as other belongings. Joe left his valise and went outside. He wanted to see all he could--to get familiar with the life of a circus.

It cannot be said that Joe was exactly easy in his mind. He would much rather have joined the circus without having supplanted a performer of so vindictive a character as Sim Dobley. But, as it had to be, the lad decided to make the best of it.

"I'll be on the watch for trouble," he murmured as he went out of the dressing tent.

A busy scene was being enacted on the circus lots. In fact, many scenes. It was feeding time for some of the animals and for most of the performers and helpers. The latter would dine in one of the big tents, under which long tables were already set. And from the distance Joe could catch an odor of the cooking.

"My, but that smells good!" he told himself. He was hungry.

The Sampson Brothers' Show was a fair-sized one. It used a number of railroad cars to transport the wagons, cages and performers from place to place. On the road, of course, the performers and helpers slept in the circus sleeping cars. But when the show remained more than one night in a place some of the performers were occasionally allowed to sleep at the local hotels, getting their meals on the circus grounds, for the cooking for and feeding of a big show is down to an exact science.

As Joe wandered forth he heard a voice calling to him:

"Well, where in the world did you come from?"

"Oh, h.e.l.lo!" cried our hero, as, turning, he saw Benny Turton, the "human fish," walking toward him.

"I'm glad to see you again!" went on Benny, as he shook hands with Joe.

"And I'm glad to see you."

"What are you doing here?" the "human fish" asked.

"Oh, I'm part of the show now," replied Joe, a bit proudly.

"Get out! Are you, really?"

"I sure am!" And Joe told the circ.u.mstances.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," said Ben. "Real glad!"

"How's your act going?" asked Joe.

The "human fish" paused a moment before answering.

"Oh, I suppose it goes as well as ever," he said slowly. "Only I---- Oh, what's the use of telling my troubles?" he asked, with a smile. "I reckon you have some of your own."

"Not very big ones," confessed Joe. "But is anything the matter?"

"No, oh, no. Never mind me; tell me about yourself."

Joe told something of his experiences since last seeing Ben, and, as he talked, he looked at the youth who performed such thrilling feats under water in the big tank. Joe thought Benny looked paler and thinner than before.

"I guess the water work isn't any too healthy for him," mused Joe. "It must be hard to be under that pressure so long. I feel sorry for him."

"What are you two talking about--going to get up a new act that will make us all take back seats?" asked a merry voice. Joe recognized it at once, and, with a glad smile, he turned to see Helen Morton coming toward him.

"I thought I knew you, even from your back," she told Joe, as she shook hands with him.